Mongla dockers may start fast unto death again

16 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Sacked dock workers of Mongla Port have again threatened to go on fast unto death to press home their five-point demand. The demands include payment of all arrears, arrest of those responsible for undermining the image of the port, repeal of Dock Workers Management Board Abolition Ordinance, abolition of berth operating system introduced from August last year and removal of the corrupt port officials. The dockers, who began fast unto death last month on the premises of Mongla Sramik Sangha office, withdrew the programme getting assurance from KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque that their demands would be met by March 15. Shahabuddin Ahmed, general secretary of Dock Workers Association said, “we are quite disappointed as KCC mayor has already backtracked from his assurance seeking more time until next June and refusing to accept demands for abolition of berth operating system at a high level meeting held on Saturday. High officials of Mongla Port Authority, chairman of Mongla Upazila Paraishad and leaders of Dock Workers Association and stevedores Association were present at the meeting. “We have no other alternative but to resume our agitation programme as mayor has threatened dire consequence for any further agitation at the port,” said Dock Workers Association leaders.